GENERAL SHOP FAQ
Who are you?
detectmagicdice is a one-person shop run by me, Rebecca (hi!). I 3D print my master dice, sand, polish, mold, cast, finish, and ink all my resin and faux stone dice myself. I also handle the product photography and website. I have a healthy portion of the "how hard can it be" gene!
Dicemaking is my side passion; I work full-time as a biotech programmer. Since this is a spare-time venture, shop updates are irregular. Follow me on Instagram or social media for updates!
Why are your dice so expensive?
Handmade, rollable dice art takes 10-15+ hours per set. When you choose detectmagicdice, you're investing in a luxury product crafted by a skilled artisan. Since 2020, I've dedicated countless hours to perfecting my craft - learning CAD modeling for custom designs, experimenting with materials, and refining my techniques to create beautiful dice. I also offer discounted "raw" dice from time to time.
What are "flaws" or marks of the handmade process?
My dice are not "factory perfect..." And quite frankly, neither are factory-made dice, which often have flaws like mold marks, polishing imperfections, or interior bubbles from injection molding. My handmade dice undergo rigorous quality control, including pressure casting to minimize bubbles. I do my best to photograph any imperfections so you know exactly what you’re getting - no surprises.
Any listed imperfections are minor and don’t affect balance or rollability. These might include tiny polishing scratches, surface-level inclusions, or pinhole bubbles, which I work hard to minimize. Sets with more noticeable flaws are clearly photographed and discounted. I only sell dice I’d be proud to carry in my own dice bag - never improperly cured (aka hazardous) or unrollable dice.
Are your dice balanced?
TL;DR, yes.
Slightly more elaborate answer, still yes. Check with your DM if they'll allow handmade dice at their table. And if they won't send them this link (shared with permission), an extremely thorough and well written discussion on casino dice, commercial dice (like Chessex), and handmade dice.
Where do you ship?
I ship to any country where USPS/UPS deliver, except for the restricted regions listed here. Customs forms will declare the full value of your order, and any customs charges are the recipient's responsibility.
UK Customers: Orders under £135 will be refunded, and I'll redirect you to my Etsy shop for a custom listing to properly handle VAT collection. Orders over £135: You can purchase directly from my website, and VAT will be payable upon delivery.
EU Customers: Unfortunately, as of December 13, 2024, I can no longer ship to the EU due to new GPSD regulations. Complying with the documentation, risk assessments, and other requirements is beyond the capacity of my part-time business. My apologies for the inconvenience!
Will my package have tracking information?
All orders are shipped with tracking and insurance. Once your package is handed off to USPS/UPS, I cannot take responsibility for it while in transit. If your package is lost, please contact me - Instagram replies are fastest, but the website contact form works too - and I’ll help navigate the insurance process.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer refunds in these cases, as this is a one-person business, and each piece represents significant time and effort.
If I get charged shipping twice, will you combine shipping and refund?
Yes (:
Do you accept returns?
Please purchase thoughtfully, as I do not accept returns for change of mind. If your item arrives damaged, feel free to reach out via the Contact page or on social media.
UK Customers: In line with distance selling laws, you have 14 days from the delivery date to contact me about a return. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
RESIN DICE FAQ
Will my resin dice yellow, or the pigment change colors?
All resins will naturally yellow over time due to unavoidable degradation. Higher-quality resins, like the Art 'n Glow I currently use, include stabilizers and additives to slow this process. Yellowing can be accelerated by 1) prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on the magnitude of weeks or more, 2) high temperatures over extended periods, and/or 3) storage in airtight containers without airflow. To prolong the life of your dice, store them in a cool, dark place with good airflow. If you're particularly concerned about resin aging, consider avoiding dice with clear sections, as these show yellowing first. Fully tinted or marble-poured designs - whether opaque or transparent - age much more gracefully.
How should I store my resin dice?
Store resin dice at room temperature and avoid exposing them to excessive heat. Resin softens when it reaches its heat deflection point, becoming dentable with a fingernail. The Art 'n Glow resin I use has a heat deflection temperature of 105°F. If your dice soften due to heat, simply move them to a cool place, and they will re-harden.
Can I use a normal dice bag for resin dice? Do I need a rolling tray for resin dice?
While not required, consider storing your dice in a manner during which they aren't rubbing against other dice. Additionally, consider a padded rolling tray to help maintain mirror finish and sharp edges.
How can I clean my resin dice?
Please avoid using harsh solvents on your dice, since they can affect the finish or inking. Additionally, do not soak or submerge your dice for extended periods of time, as this can affect inking. If cleaning is needed, I recommend wiping your dice with a soft, damp microfiber cleaning cloth.
For my raw dice, you typically only need to sand and polish the cap face - usually the 1 face, but occasionally the highest face (like the 20 on a d20). You can identify the cap face by feeling for burrs or edges that need smoothing. Sometimes adjacent faces may benefit from sanding, but this depends on your preference and skill level. I aim to note these details in each set's listing, but feel free to reach out with any questions or to request additional photos or videos.
I recommend purchasing polishing papers from this link at Rio Grande. These are the same as "Zona papers" often used by dicemakers but at a lower cost, even with shipping.
Jessie's guide touches on inking and makes some recommendations for paints. I also recommend "DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint" in whatever color you prefer. Here is a video (not mine) demonstrating inking.
While I polish my dice using an expensive pottery wheel, hand-polishing with papers is still effective, and how I polished before purchasing my wheel. If you’ve purchased raw dice from me and need advice, feel free to contact me via social media DMs or the website contact page - I’m happy to help!
What resin do you use to cast with?
I'm committed to researching high quality resins and casting with well regarded brands. I am currently selling resin dice made from Crit Cast or Art N Glow. I do not plan to repurchase Crit Cast, so in the future, all my dice will be made from Art N Glow. If you would like a discount on purchasing Art N Glow, you may order through my affiliate link, or use my affiliate code DETECTDISCOUNT for 10% off your order.
FAUX-STONE DICE FAQ
How do I care for my faux-stone dice?
Faux-stone dice are more delicate than resin dice and should be handled like gemstone dice to preserve their sharp edges. Store them in their shipping tin or a similar container - avoid bags where they might rub against each other. Always roll them in a padded tray, as hard surfaces can dent corners or chip edges. Avoid dropping them from heights, and keep them away from excessive heat, water, or friction, as these can cause damage due to their porous nature.
Over time, like natural stone, faux-stone dice edges will "weather" gently, rounding slightly with use to create a smooth handfeel and a beautiful, worn aesthetic. While they may develop minor scratches or scuffs, faux-stone dice tend to self-heal as they wear in. My beta testers reported that careful use - rolling only in padded trays and storing in their tins - kept their dice looking nearly pristine!
In the summer of 2022, I sent out 28 sets of faux-stone dice to 14 fans to beta test. Each tester received an "Experimental" set for full-on stress testing and a "Control" set (in their chosen colors) to keep pristine until we developed a care protocol.
The testers pushed the dice to their limits with creative experiments: shaking them in an industrial agitator, running them through the washing machine, even driving over them with a car - yes, really. To simulate real TTRPG use, they rolled the dice in trays, stored them in backpacks, shook them in chainmail dice bags, and even "baptized" them in pizza grease (because who hasn’t rolled a die into snacks?).
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! Testers loved the dice's weight and aesthetic, and their TTRPG groups thought they were both unique and satisfying to use. The testers’ creativity and insights helped shape the care guide above - I’m so grateful for their help!